Sashko took the time to put his heart into words as best as he could and here is a little bit of what he had to say about the call on his heart to join Open Arms Ukraine’s ministry in the city of Sumy:
Two years ago I had the privilege of spending two weeks with the Open Arms Ukraine team working as an interpreter at the Pravdinska Orphanage. Often when I tell people about it, I recall the very first day we arrived. It was a hot Ukrainian afternoon as we walked through a village and big field in hopes of making our way to the orphanage. As we got there the children immediately swarmed around the team who dropped all of their belongings and just kept hugging those kids. I stood there thinking these were going to be two long weeks at some orphanage in the middle of nowhere with as many luxuries as a room intended for horses, a river, and an outhouse could provide.
Little did I know that two hours later my heart would connect with some of the most sincere and open kids I have ever met. Two years later, I know that those two weeks spent at the Pravdinska orphanage were some of the most beautiful and blessed days of my life; those days had changed me forever. Today, I can’t picture my life without those children, their friendship and their love while being allowed to have God reach them through me.
This summer I was able to be a part of Open Arms Ukraine summer camp at the Pravdinska Orphanage and God absolutely blessed us in that time. God provided the means, the people and, above all, his Grace. It was a fruitful time for both us and the children. In my group of 18 kids, five accepted the Lord as their Savior. For one young girl, Alina, she withstands ridicule from teachers and classmate as she commits to reading her Bible and learning more of what it means to follow God. It is our prayer and hope that God helps them overcome all of the sarcasm and insult they receive that they may continue to walk with Him.
A couple of months ago I was asked to pray about moving to Sumy to join the Open Arms team there full time. The Lord has begun to answer my prayers in guiding me towards taking that step and moving. My heart for the children is this: that they come to know the Lord Jesus Christ personally, to have a foundation in pure and solid Biblical doctrine; that they will not only adjust to life after the orphanage successfully, but they will grow into solid men and women of God, who are examples for other and take God’s calling in their lives.
Open Arms Ukraine has laid a solid foundation: building relationships with so many children as well as with the staff at the orphanage and various trade schools through the Sumy region. I consider it a great privilege to join the work God is doing through this ministry.
As I move to Sumy my desire is to continue the work with the children at the orphanage as well as the graduates from the Pravdinska orphanage. As the Lord leads, I hope to begin weekly Bible Studies at the orphanage as I continue to develop personal friendships with the children there. I am full of hope to be used by God in fruitful ways concerning the weekly ministry with the graduates by being open and available for the work God has planned for me. I have learned that for the most part time is a necessity in getting through the walls these children have spent years building, but my heart is to do what is required of me in caring for God’s children while leaving the rest to Him with the expectation to see lasting fruit someday.
Sashko’s heart is clear and we are excited to have him as a part of our team for countless reasons. His connection with the children and compassion towards them can only take place through God’s leading. If you would like to join us in prayer concerning this new addition to our ministry your name can be added to an e-mail list by sending an e-mail titled “Sashko” to OpenArmsMinistry@gmail.com. Our goal is to raise monthly support of $500 to go towards Sashko’s living and ministry expenses. If you would like to take part in this through monthly giving or a one-time donation checks should be made out to Open Arms Ukraine and sent to P.O. Box 277, San Lorenzo, CA 94580 with “Sashko” written in the memo line. If you desire to join us in monthly giving, please indicate so with an enclosed note or by sending us an e-mail. We are excited to share with you all that God does in and through this in our ministry.
Thank you all so very much,
The Open Arms Ukraine Team
